I’d be lying if I said this off season has gone as planned for the Flyers. I’d also be lying if I said the Flyers would be opening the regular season on time with the pending lockout hanging over everything. However, until September, business must go on and the Flyers have made a move to lock up their own in Wayne Simmonds. Acquired in the Mike Richards trade last summer, Simmonds collected career highs in goals and points this year and showed nice grit. A nice move by the Flyers, however they still need either a.) two defensemen (all star to elite level) or b.) a goalie upgrade.

Just when I thought YOU weren’t getting a Tuesday Ramblings, the Eagles went and made another odd move in what seems like an endless supply since last free agency started. We’ve been through them all so I won’t re-hash, but really, did you ever think Jeremiah Trotter would be back on this team in any other capacity besides, “team ambassador.” I knew you didn’t. Anyways, on to the real thing………… Read the rest of this entry »

On March 4, 2009, the Philadelphia Flyers traded fan favorite Scottie Upshall (forward) and a 2011 second-round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Daniel Carcillo. Carcillo, who grew up a Flyers fan, amassed 254 penalty minutes while playing for Phoenix and Philly in the 2008-2009 season. No other player in the league eclipsed 200. Said GM Peter Chiarelli of the Boston Bruins upon hearing news of the trade last year, “That will make them funner to play against.” This video might demonstrate what he meant.

With a look at 2009-2010, the Flyers traded away 19-year old defender Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupal and two first round picks all for veteran blue-liner Chris Pronger. While many fans of the orange and black were happy when they heard the news, one has to wonder – did they give up to much to get a 34-year old guy?

Consider that the Flyers not only gave up their first round selection this season, but next year as well, but they also gave up a young, talented defender and a guy who scored 25 gaols and had 25 total points.

Meanwhile, the Flames acquired highly coveted defender Jay Bouwmeester from Florida for defensemen Jordan Leopold and a third round pick. Leopold is a nice player, not a great player by any means and might not even be signed by the Panthers, who really want the draft pick and to shed salary.

You can argue that Pronger is the better player then Bouwmesster, but Bouwmeester is younger and apparently doesnt cost quite as much. Pronger is certinly a guy who can stop guys like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

So if you are a Flyers fan who liked the Pronger deal at first, how do you feel now knowing that Bouwmeester cost about half the price?

While the Philadelphia 76ers were still celebrating their drafting of Jrue Holiday, the Flyers made a strong move towards making a Cup run in 09-10 by acquiring stout defensemen Chris Pronger from Anaheim. The move was a cost cutting move for Anaheim who had to contend with defensemen Scott Niedermeyer deciding to return next season with the Ducks. The move was costly for the Flyers, however, as they had to give up Jofrey Lupul and Lucas Sbisa and two first round draft picks (2009 and 2010).

PCP Analysis: While I don’t profess to be an expert in hockey, I do like the move. Sbisa is going to be a terrific defensemen in the league for a long time in my opinion, but they sorely needed a guy like Pronger who can score, hit, and intimidate. Lupul also was a key loss. He has scored 49 goals the past two season. Some other ramifications to consider: The move leaves the Flyers approx. 2.5 million under the NHL salary cap. They still need a backup goalie, and maybe another defensemen and maybe another winger. They also stand to lose Mike Knuble, as some are speculating that Knuble will get his desired long term pact from the Penguins. He will be hard to replace in a lot of ways. They are closer to a cup, though. They still run forwards out there such as Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, and Scott Hartnell. Key this year will be, as always though, the play of the defense and newly acquired Ray Emery. I still see a few missing pieces before they dethrone the Penguins. Meanwhile, the 76ers still seem a few years away from even cracking the top 4 in the suddenly “Beast” of the East.